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OMKARANANDA MAHOTSAVA
2007-2008
Contents:
Omkarananda Jayanti Celebrations
Every year on the auspicious day of the 25th December, Swami
Omkarananda's birthday is celebrated in a very classical, spiritual and joyous
way. Before the cultural function, in the morning the day first starts with the
prayers.
 The
priests of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir recited the Sundarkand.
The nicely decorated altar of Gurudev was beautiful to look at and the flowers
surrounding the altar were fully shining.
Approximately at 11 o'clock the cultural programme was announced to start. It
always draws crowds of devotees, who want to witness several performances by
students, who studied in one or the other educational setup of Swami Omkarananda.
After the welcome address the lady master of ceremony requested
Swami Vishveshwarananda, President of Omkarananda Ashram, and Shri Swami Narasimhulu,
Editor and Trustee, to light the Deepas.
After garlanding Saints and special invitees, children of Omkarananda Natya Kala
Academy, Omkarananda Saraswati Nilayam as well as children of Omkarananda
Preparatory School showed their talents in beautiful dance and various other
demonstrations.
 The audience was surprised about the well-trained actions of
children in the lower age. Nevertheless, the higher classes in typical Indian
traditional dresses,
 the symbolic light in their hands, made a very strong
impact on this holy occasion.
 Whether it was the action of the glittering tiny
tots or Somashekhari's songs describing the glory of Swami Omkarananda, with her
students dressed in traditional red and white Sarees, the hall was vibrating
with the spirit of these excellent performances. Teachers and assistants had
deserved to be given a strong encouraging remark for their hard work to make
this special festival a wonderful remembrance for everybody.
These joyous presentations were truly flowers to the holy feet of the most
loving, divine, eternal Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.
 Swami Vishveshwarananda, in a few inspiring words, thanked everybody for joining
the wonderful function and he remembered the spirit of Gurudev Shri Paramahamsa
Omkarananda Saraswati to whom never-ending thanks had to be given and because of
Him all these wonders could happen.
Important personalities were requested to come to the dais to reward the
students and all the participants with flowers and gifts. After this, as usual,
the Omkarananda Arati was conducted by the Pandits. Shri Sureshji, the Chief
Priest of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir, had worked till late in the night
before this function to make sure that the entire flower decoration will give a
sweet welcome to one and all. Afterwards everybody could enjoy an excellent
fooding (Bhandara) which was served as Prasad.
 
| Important personalities were requested to come to the dais to reward the
students and all the participants with flowers and gifts. |
Swami Satchidananda,
Treasurer of Omkarananda Ashram,
in talks with
visitors. |
Bhajan Sandhya
On the 3rd day of the Mahotsava, on 27th December 2007, a
Bhajan Sandhya was organized with the kindergarten students of Omkarananda
Preparatory School in Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi Mandir. The Bhajans sung by the
students created an atmosphere of sublime respect and devotion.
 The parents
listening to the singing of the young students became charged with divine
vibration and began to sing along with them. There was happiness and joy all
around. The great moment came when during the Arati hundreds of small students
and their parents were waving lights in front of Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi which
they all carried afterwards to the holy Shrine.
After the Arati all the participants enjoyed a delicious Prasadam. Undoubtedly
this evening left an ever-lasting spiritual aroma among each one's heart and
mind.
Music Concert
 Once again, on the 28th December 2007, our Yoga Centre had
the honour to host a concert by Rim Banna, a world-famous singer, composer and
song writer from Palestine. She acquired great fame for her albums such as “The
Mirrors of my Soul”, “This was not my story” and her latest album “Seasons of
Violet: Love songs from Palestine”. In the Arabic world she is also well known
for her lullabies and children songs. The event was made special by the children
our our Omkarananda Preparatory School, Rishikesh, who were elegantly dressed in
exotic costumes making the event a truly unforgettable one. They performed a
Welcome Dance to welcome Rim Banna in Rishikesh, the
 Yoga Capital of the world.
Completely dedicated to the Art of Singing, Rim Banna has a great love and
affection for India, its culture, its people and the Vedic Philosophy. She has
become a true and a sincere Disciple of His Holiness Shri Prabhuji Maharaj,
because of her sublime understanding of the spirituality and religion of India.
Taking a break from her tours in various countries she stayed in our Ashram for
a month as a spiritual retreat spending her time in singing Sanskrit prayers and
reading holy texts in the presence of the great Sanskrit Scholar and Saint Shri
Prabhuji, whom she considers here spiritual father. She was accompanied by her
dear husband Leonid, sweet daughters Baylassan and Qumran, and son Ursalem.
Classical Music Concert
Visitors and also many foreign delegates were quite surprised
when they could witness an Indian Classical Music performance of the Plaza Music
Academy, on 29th December 2007, in Omkarananda Ganga Sadan, as a contribution
during the Omkarananda Mahotsava Celebration.
Perfect arrangements were made by Usha Devi to provide, from beginning to end,
everything the people were in need of.
 Many eyes opened widely when they saw young musicians, well-dressed with
Violins, Sitars, Tablas, etc., confident to show, what their Master Shivanandaji
had taught them.
Siddhartha Krishna – excellent Master of Ceremony – gave a perfect introduction
and in short also explained the spiritual background of these musicians and
their presentations.
Chetan Jyoti, the key person and so called ‘Mother' of this Music Academy,
elaborated in detail how, with hard work and dedication, a well-trained music
team could be established.
After several wonderful and sweet music items were contributed, the audience
expressed their joy clearly in a long-standing ovation.
Swami Vishveshwarananda honoured the students and their Master Shivananda. He
thanked them for their excellent demonstration in this cultural event. In his
words he mentioned that the vibrations of these holy rhythms and melodies were
also heard by Mother Ganga, who is just flowing nearby the Omkarananda Ganga
Sadan. He wished to all musicians, that the holy river Ganga may give them
endless blessings and he also thanked the audience for patiently hearing the
wonderful contribution of this Music-Academy.
In the end Arati was recited for Shri Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati and Lord
Patanjali and flowers were distributed for Pushpanjali.
After this everybody joined Prasadam, which was arranged for each and everybody
attending this function.
Bhajan Evening
Mother Omkarananda-Kamakshi-Devi must have been definitely
happy to hear the melodious Bhajans which filled the whole temple with strong
vibrations.
 Somaji, Director of Omkarananda Natya Kala Academy, Singer and also Classical
Bharatanatyam Dancer, not only trains her young students in music and dance, but
also brings them closer to the mystical values, the Vedas have given us.
Soma and her team were supported by some of our priests and closely associated
musicians.
In spite of the very cold weather, everybody enjoyed this function in adoration
of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.
The function was concluded with Omkarananda Arati and distribution of Prasadam
to everybody, who had attended the event.
Guru Puja, Yagna, Arati
 Special additional Yagnas were conducted in our Omkarananda
Ashram Himalayas in honour of Gurudev Paramahamsa Omkarananda Saraswati.
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